Why do PC Gamers Oppose Using a Controller?

[RhombusHatesYou]

It's not idiocy, and it's not ignorance. It's literally what people grew up with. Yes, the Vic 20, C64, Amstrad CPCs and even later Spectrums (as of the +2) all came with joystick ports. But not everything did and not every game was automagically better for it.

Not to mention that unless you were willing to lay down some serious bank for something like a Wico, joysticks had notoriously short lifespans (around 100 hrs on average, iirc). Even in the top quality sticks the contacts would eventually wear out.

Joystick only games were a pain because it often meant spending an hour dicking around with half a dozen broken joysticks to cannibalise them to throw together one working joystick that would last you long enough to last until you could afford a new one. Most of the computer gamers I knew in the mid- to late-80s had a box of broken joysticks, a roll of electrical tape, screwdriver, wirestrippers and soldering iron close-by their machines.

 

[Daygall65]

Copy paste answer from my last post in another KB+M =/= Controller thread.

My personal irk with a game that supports Controllers and KB+M is this.

Skyrim is my prime example, there are so many things I wish I could do in it that aren't an options because of the limitation of a controller. EG button mapping limitations.

I want to play as a Gandalf-esq character, which in Skyrim in all its forms including modded is so far impossible.

What I wish I could do is have my Staff and Sword in hand and it works base like dual wield but the staff has no power attack, holding blocks\deflects but push BOTH buttons and it's a combo swing like Gandalf did on the walls of Minas Tirth. With using the staffs ability *Fire ball, frost, lighting, etc* With a dedicated CAST button like Oblivion had for magick, but it's only for staff.

Above example, perfectly doable on KB+M, I'm not sure how they'd do it on a controller.

So for that reason, I cringe internally when I see a game say *Controller supported* Because the first thing that springs to my mind is simplified controls and lack of real options in gameplay.

But I'll never attack someone over it, that's just my personal pet peeve. The people that attacked you are... Unmentionables.

:EDIT FOR CLAIRITY:

That was just one example mind you, I'll use my controller and love every minuet of it in stuff like NFS, Driver SF, and Flight Sims... KB+M on anything that is simulating an analog input is... Unpleasant to say the least.

Oblivion did it, though not in the same way. You could have a touch based spell equipped in the same hand as a sword and use the cast magicka key to use the spell without sheathing the sword, so you could use like a drain life spell while the other guy was guarding against a physical attack, and then swing with the mouse key.

The Gandalf example was just a personal gameplay wish haha. My example was meant to be a template for "Multiple uses of X limited by key bindings*

 

[ZettieBeans]

PC Controllers have been around forever...the essence of pure-pc only fanboys is the attitude that a PC will somehow 'convert' into a console or it's harder to use a controller than mouse and keyboard from lack of experience....

Controller can make games easier in a way that mouse and keyboard combo can be cumbersome. Easier on the hands for those with carpal-tunnel or other forms of physical disabilities. As long as the game can be played smoothly there is no wrong between controller and mouse and key. Only preference.

I've been a console gamer for the longest but I've also been a PC gamer for the longest as well too. The benefit of controller is the ability to push buttons right then and there without having to reach all over the place on a keyboard to do the same thing along with a mouse. The only draw-backs are the amount of button commands that can be put on controller as well as accuracy for certain games and activities. FPS that are not coordinated with controller abilities get wonky and by using a controller there is no accurate time for typing...with a mouse and key it's easier to 'jump' to the spot where you want while controller forces a scrolling-like state to get where needed which is slower..

 

[EightGaugeHippo]

Well I can aim with a thumb stick as accurately as I can aim with a mouse.
The only time controllers suck for gaming is when the interface requires a cursor, like a point and click adventures or strategy games. Then it's mouse all the way.

This reminds me actually.
My friend showed me this cool Mouse/controller hybrid, you got all the precision of a mouse for aiming and the precision of a thumb stick movement.

Not sure how it actually plays, but in theory it could be the master race of gaming input.

 

[Valiance]

I honestly never understood this faux-superiority complex.

Despite being a large proponent of the unique advantages of a keyboard over a controller, I've always considered them both great tools to interface with your games.

I mean I remember using the Gravis Gamepad to play the shareware demo of Jazz Jackrabbit almost 20 years ago.

I currently use two Logitech dual-stick analog controllers. I think one is called the Logitech F310, and the other is literally just named the Logitech "Dual Action" or something. They're absolutely wonderful when I'm playing a game that would be better suited to a controller than KB&M.

Of course I love keyboard and mouse for *most* games that I'm interested in, but there are plenty that I feel much more comfortable playing with a controller.

 

[antidonkey]

The PC has been my platform of choice for many, many years even though I've had several consoles. The kb/m feels more natural for me thanks to years of using it. However, I keep a controller handy as there's some game that work better with it. The type of game really determines what I use to play it. For example:

FPS/RTS = KB/M
Fighting/Driving = controller
3PS/Platformer = either/or......depends on the game

Hell, if I dig around my spare parts cabinet I bet I could turn up an old MS Sidewinder flight stick I used for space combat sims. Man, I sure do miss that genre.